Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
The Beast eyes title at Crues
NEW Crusaders goalkeeper Brian ‘The Beast’ Jensen has set his sights on title glory after signing a one year deal with the Belfast club. The towering Dane, who stands 6’5” tall and played for Burnley in the Premier League, is just three weeks away from his 42nd birthday. But the former West Bromwich Albion and Bury shot stopper is determined to roll back the years and help the Crues win back the Gibson Cup. Stephen Baxter’s men looked destined for a third straight championship a few weeks ago only for Linfield to pip them at the post with a stunning run of form in the final strait. Jensen said: “The club wants the title back and I want to help them do that. I hope my experience of over 400 games in England will help. “We won the league two years in a row and slipped up at the end last season, but I’m here to fight to get it back again. “I didn’t want to hang up my boots and I still feel there’s life in me; I didn’t miss a training session last year and I feel good. If I felt I couldn’t contribute, I wouldn’t be here.” Jensen is also relishing playing in the Europa League with Crusaders who are in the first qualifying round draw on June 19 alongside the likes of Rangers and Aberdeen. He said: “It’s always been a dream to play in the Europa League. I thought I was too old but I’ve been given the opportunity to do it and it’s another tick in the ‘dream box’.” Jensen, who was released by English League Two club Mansfield Town earlier this month, is a timely replacement for regular No1 Sean O’neill who requires surgery on a shoulder injury.